Artist Spotlight – Brian Neher

Professional Portrait Painter Brian Neher

Brian Neher is a professional portrait painter whose work has been featured in American Artist Magazine as well as their Portrait and Figure Painting Highlights edition and on National Public Television. His paintings can be seen in both private and corporate collections throughout the United States.

Born in Alexandria, Virginia in 1972, Brian began drawing at the age of three and through the encouragement and example of his grandmother, a commercial artist herself, knew at an early age that he wanted to pursue a career in art. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Pensacola Christian College in Pensacola, Florida and it was there that he had the opportunity to study under Brian Jekel, an accomplished painter who would greatly impact his life. “By introducing me to the Old Masters of the late nineteenth century, Brian Jekel set into motion a series of events and study that would forever direct my course as an artist,” says Neher.

Brian has had the unique and rare opportunity to study under one of America’s modern day masters, renowned portrait painter Joe Bowler. “Through critiques, demonstrations, encouragement, and the constant study of the Old Masters, Joe gave me an early start on what true painting is all about. Much of the progress that I have made as a painter has been a direct result of being under his guidance. I hope to someday be able to give back to others what Joe has given to me.”

In addition to painting commissioned portraits, Brian enjoys sharing his passion for art with others and has produced a series of instructional art videos which focus on teaching the foundational principles of representational art by demonstrating how to apply each one to the art of painting. By understanding these principles, the artist is then given the freedom to better communicate his message to the viewer.